Receptacle filling apparatus



Api'il 9, 1957 R. R. MARTIN RECEPTACLE FILLING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet.1

Filed May 4 1 955 lNVENTOR h i it April 9, 1957 R. R. MARTIN z 7 031 I IRECEfTACLE FILLING APPARATUS Filed May 4, 19 55 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f J-E-5'- 'INVENIVTOR Qaymond Marzim TORNEY RECEPTACLE FILLING APPARATUSRaymond R. Martin, Albion, Mich.

Application May 4, 1955, Serial No. 505,915

7 Claims. (Cl. 141-295) The present invention relates broadly toreceptacle filling apparatus, and in its specific phases to apparatusfor filling paper milk bottles of rectangular cross section andsubstantially flat ends, the upper end of which has a hinged cap for afilling opening insame.

Machines for filling glass milk bottles have long been in common use,and with the advent of paper containers for milk, such as therectangular cross section flat ended containers made by American CanCompany, special and highly expensive equipment has been devised forfilling same. The reason for this is that the standard glass milk bottleis rigid and the filler member of the machine can be forced solidlyagainst the open end of the bottle without danger of damaging orcrushing it, a thing which such equipment would do with a paper milkbottle. There apparently has been no simple, low cost, equipment put onthe market which would make possible converting a standard machine forfilling glass milk bottles, such as the Cherry-Burrell Six series bottlefillers, to one for filling the flat ended rectangular cross sectionpaper milk bottles having a hinged closure cap in its upper end, andwherein the filler member will have a portion to engage and be supportedon the upper end of the paper bottle. It was a recognition of this need,and the complete lack of any commercial solution of the probleminvolved, which led to the conception and development of the presentinvention.

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provisionof an improved form of mlik bottle filling equipment for use withrectangular cross section paper milk bottles having substantially flatends and a hinged filler opening cap in the upper end of same.

Another object is to provide a modified form of apparatus for engagingand resting on the upper end of a rectangular cross section paper milkbottle, with hinged filler cap in its upper end, for use'in filling samewithout crushing said cap when the latter is in its open position.

A further object is to provide a highly simplified, low cost, andefiicient apparatus for converting a standard glass milk bottle fillingmachine to one which will fill a rectangular paper milk bottle havingsubstantially flat ends and a hinged filler cap in its upper end.

A further object is to provide each filler member of a milk bottlefilling machine with a hood member for engaging and resting on the upperend of a rectangular cross section paper milk bottle at one corner andalong the adjacent side edges, wherein said hood member has an elevatedcentral portion to provide space for the filler opening engaging portionof said apparatus, and to protect the hinged filler opening cap frombeing crushed when turned back during the filling operation.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will appear as thedescription proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the container filling means hereinafter fullydescribed and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexeddrawings and the following description setting forth. in. detailcertainxmeans for.

uite t e Pare carrying out the invention,'such disclosed meansillustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle ofthe invention may be used.

In the annexed drawings: 7

Figure 1 shows a partially sectioned longitudinal elevational view ofthe mechanism of a preferred form of the improved bottle fillingapparatus adapted for filling substantially flat ended rectangular crosssection paper bottles.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged longitudinal cross sectional view of theapparatus as seen in the general area indicated by the line with arrows22 of Figure l, but substantially diagonally cornerwise of the upper endof the rectangular bottle.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the upper end of a typicalrectangular cross section paper bottle with the hood member of thepresent invention in position to be lowered onto and supported by same.

Figure 4 shows a top view of a preferred form of hood member for use inaccordance with the present invention.

Figures 5 and 6 show front and rear views of the hood member as seen atlines 5-5 and 66 of Figure 4, re spectively, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Referring more particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, the liquidreservoir 1 of a conventional milk container filling machine, hasconnected thereto, at its bottom, a series of container actuatedassemblies 2 each of which is adapted to engage the upper end of asuitable container 3 which sets on an endwise movable platform member 4having a container positioning socket 4a. Since this liquid reservoirwith its container actuated assemblies 2 and the platform members 4 allare part of an assembly which rotates as a unit with a cam mechanism forlifting the milk container 3 at the proper time for filling same, and,aside from the special construction of the container actuated assembly2, which will be hereinafter described in detail, are all parts ofstandard milk bottle filling equipment and not a part of the presentinvention, such overall assembly has not been illustrated. Also sincethe container actuated assemblies 2 are all alike and embody the presentinvention, only one has been illustrated in order to avoid duplicationof showing and description.

The container actuated assembly 2, Figure 1, has a depending liquiddispensing or outlet tube 5 which extends through opening 6 in thebottom of liquid reservoir 1, and is provided on its upper end with anoutturned flange 7 under which is provided a sealing gasket 8. The outerface of outlet tube 5 is preferably threaded for engagement by asuitable nut 9, which, when tightened, will compress gasket 8 and form aliquid tight seal. Outlet tube 5 also has a passageway 10 throughout thelength of same for flow of liquid therethrough into container 3 to befilled. The lower portion of said outlet tube 5 is of reduced outsidesize so as to form a shoulder 11, and to receive an endwise movablesleeve 12 having an inside size closely but freely fitting said reducedsize portion of outlet tube 5. If desired this sleeve 12 may be providedwith a ring or sealing gasket 40 to substantially stop all leakagebetween the telescoped members, although with a close tolerance slidingfit, leakage is negligible even without a sealing gasket.

Sleeve 12 has a circumferential flange 13 on its outer face between itsends with said flange spaced from the upper end of said sleeve asuflicient distance for the re ception of a suitable length mildcompression spring 14 to facilitate functioning of the apparatus as willbe hereinafter set forth. The lower end of sleeve 12 preferably has asubstantially flat end portion 15 with a depending, substantiallycentral, discharge tube 16 of a little less diameter than the filleropening 17 in container 3, with the end of the discharge tube 16 forminga valve seat 18 for a hollow, open-ended, valve 19 having a seating head20, preferably of rubber, suitably joined thereto in conventional mannerand adapted to seal on valve seat 18.

Inside of liquid reservoir 1, Figure 1, directly above outlet tube 5,and preferably mounted on outturned flange 7 thereof in conventionalmanner, as by welding. is a spider member 21 which may have on its upperface a socket member 22 adapted to receive the lower end of tubularmember 23 through which passes, substantially co-axially, the hollowstem 24 of valve 19. That valve stem 24 is provided at its upper endwith a pair of fixed location, outwardly projecting, spaced apart ringmembers 25 and 2-5 which are preferably slightly less in outsidediameter than the inside diameter of tubular member 23 to facilitateassembling the apparatus. Stein 24 may also be provided with a centeringsleeve member 27 spaced :1 short distance from ring member 26 and freelyfitting the bore of tubular member 23. A hairpin shaped key member 23,made of suitable resilient thin strip stock, with bifurcated ends 29 and39 engages the end of stem 24-, as shown, above the upper end of tubularmember 253 to support same for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth. Ifdesired these bifurcated ends may have an offset portion, as shown, toavoid accidental disengagement of key member 23.

Mounted in conventional manner on the lower end of sleeve 12 is a hoodmember 31. Thismounting is preferably accomplished through the use offlat head screws 32, Figure 2, which pass through openings 35, Figure 4,in hood member 31 and engage suitable threaded openings 34 in the lowerend of sleeve 12. Hood member 31 has side members 35 and 36 which dependfrom top member 37 which, in turn, is upwardly arched and provided withan open front which is opposite to side members 3S and 36. Arching topmember 37, as shown, provides room for a gasket 38 around discharge tube16 in position for sealing filler opening 17 in container 3 during thefilling operation. This gasket 33 is preferably of natural or syntheticrubber and is also preferably of inverted conical shape just slightlylonger than the depth of the arching of top member 37 of hood 31 so asto extend into and provide a satisfactory tight seal on the edges offiller opening 17 under conditions of use. The open front of the archedtop 37 of the hood member 31 also allows the hinged cap 39' of container3 to be turned back and held in that position during the filling of thecontainer, all without crushing the cap.

Since hood member 31 must move in a linear or nonrotating path so as toalways fit the corner of a container of the character described when itis presented for filling, suitable means must be provided for guidingthe movement of the hood in suchpath. Of the various ways in which thismay be accomplished a preferred one involves the use of a pin 41, Figure2, extending outwardly from outlet tube 5 and fitting into longitudinalslot 42 in sleeve 12 so that telescoping of these two members willresult in linear straight line movement of one relative to the other.

When the apparatus of the present invention is used for dispensingliquids, such as milk, it will be noted that the liquid reservoir 1 willcontain the milk to be dispensed, and that it will freely flow throughthe open sides of spider 2} and fill the inside of outlet tube 5 and thelower portion of sleeve 12 down to the valve head 2t seating on the endof discharge tube 16, with the assembled parts in the position shown inFigure 2. Then with the paper container 3 in filling position and liftedby platform member 4- to be the position shown in Figure 1, this willlift valve seat 18 away from the seating head of valve 19 to permit milkto flow into container 3. At the same time gasket 38 will be compressedslightly on the top of container 3 to seal filler opening 17 of thelatter, while hood member 31 will rest on two side edges of thecontainer at a corner of same and transmit the upward movement of sameto sleeve 12 whose endwise movement compresses spring 14.

When milk flows into container 3 the displaced air in same will flow outthrough the hollow valve 19 which, in turn, at the end of the fillingoperation becomes filled with milk to the level of the top of the milkin reservoir 2. However, there is an air pocket in the upper end of thecontainer 3 above the air inlet end of valve 19 so that when container 3is lowered at the end of the filling operation, this lowering sealsseating head 29 of valve 19 on seat 18 before the sealing pressure ofgasket 33 on the upper end of container 3 is released. Further loweringhe container permits, when the seal of gasket 38 on the end of container3 is broken, the milk in the hollow stem of valve 19 to flow intocontainer 3 and fill same to the predetermined required level for avolume required by law, such as a quart, pint, or the like. Theresilient key member 28 with its bifurcated ends absorbs part of thevalve closing shock during the container lowering opera tion and holdsthe valve 19 from being pulled more than a limited small amount downinto tubular member 23, and through such holding permit the seating head20 of valve 19 to firmly seat on valve seat is on the lower end ordischarge tube 16 and prevent further discharge of milk therethroughuntil the assembly is actuated by the next container brought up againstthe underface of hood member El to repeat the cycle.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention be employedinstead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanismherein disclosed, provided the mean stated by any of the followingclaims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

i therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as myinvention 1. In a machine for filling receptacles, such as milkcontainers to be delivered to milk customers, and which has a.liquidsupply reservoir together with means for positioning and liftinga container to filling position and lowering same after filling, thecombination therewith of a container actuated assembly which comprisesan outlet tube extending downwardly from the bottom of said supplyreservoir, a sleeve telescopically fitting said outlet tube insubstantially fluid tight manner, a mild compression spring, means onsaid outlet tube and on said sleeve for engaging said spring in mannersuch that said sleeve is normally extended by said spring partially offfrom said outlet tube, a discharge outlet tube extending from the lowerend of said sleeve and adapted to enter the filling opening of saidcontainer, a vented valve extending all the way through said dischargeoutlet tube and having its upper end above the top of the liquid in saidliquid supply reservoir, said valve scaling the outlet end of saiddischarge outlet tube, said valve having a head and stem having anunobstructed passageway therethrough, said head acting as a stop whichseals on the end of the discharge outlet tube of said sleeve when thelatter is in its normally extended position, a hood means mounted on thelower end portion of said sleeve, said hood means being adapted toengage the top of said container to be filled and when said container israised, after engagement with said hood means, the latter acts tocompress said spring and open said valve which allows fluid to flowthrough said outlet tube, sleeve, and discharge outlet tube into saidcontainer from said supply reservoir, and a gasket within said hood andaround said discharge outlet tube, said gasket sealing the fillingopening in said container when said hood means is in engagement with thetop of said container.

2. In a receptacle filling apparatus as set forth in claim 1, whereinsame is adapted for filling said cOntains when they are substantiallyfiat ended and of rectangular crosssection, and wherein'said hood meansis adapted to ill the upper end of said container at one corner thereofand be supported principally on the side edges of same which terminateat said corner, and wherein said vented valve means has its headwithinsaid hood and has a resilient supporting means for its upper end.

3. in a machine for filling receptacles, such as milk containers, andwhich has a liquid supply reservoir together with means for positioningand lifting a container to filling position and lowering same afterfilling, the combination therewith of a container actuated assemblywhich combines an outlet tube extending downwardly from the bottom ofsaid supply reservoir, a sleeve telescopically fitting said outlet tubein substantially fluid tight manner,

a mild compression spring, means on said outlet tube and on said sleevefor engaging said spring in manner such that said sleeve is normallyextended by spring par tially off from said outlet tube, a dischargeoutlet tube extending from the lower end of said sleeve and adapted toenter the filling opening of said container, a vented valve for sealingthe outlet end of said discharge outlet tube and acting as a stop forsaid sleeve when the latter is in its normally extended position, a hoodmeans mounted on the lower end portion of said sleeve, said hood meansbeing adapted to engage the top of said container to be filled and whensaid container is raised, after engagement with said hood means, thelatter acts to compress said spring and open said valve which allowsfluid to flow through said outlet tube, sleeve, and discharge outlettube into said container from said supply reservoir, and a gasket withinsaid hood and around said discharge outlet tube, said gasket sealing thefilling opening in said container when said hood means is in engagementwith the top of said container, wherein such apparatus is adapted forfilling substantially flat ended rectangular cross-section papercontainers having a filling opening in the upper end of same adjacentone corner with a hingedly mounted cap for closing said opening, andwherein said hood means is adapted to fit the upper end of saidcontainer at one corner thereof and be supported on the side edges ofthe container which terminate at said corner, said hood means having anelevated central portion open at its front to provide room for thehingedly mounted cap of said container when said cap is turned backduring the filling operation.

-'i-. In a receptacle filling apparatus as set forth in claim I, whereinsaid compression spring supporting means consists or an outwardlyprojecting shoulder on the outlet tube for supporting the upper end ofsaid spring, and an outwardly projecting shoulder means on said sleevefor supporting the lower end of said spring, and wherein said hood meanshas an elevated central portion open at its front in elevated positionand which hood means is fixedly joined on the lower end of said sleevewith said gasket fastened in the elevated central portion of said hood,and further wherein means is provided for guiding said hood in anon-rotary fixed endwise reciprocating movement path.

5. In a machine for filling receptacles, such as milk containers, andwhich has a liquid supply reservoir together with means for positioningand lifting a container to filling position and lowering same afterfilling, the combination therewith of a container actuated assemblywhich combines an outlet tube extending downwardly from the bottom ofsaid supply reservoir, a sleeve telescopically fitting said outlet tubein substantially fluid tight manner, a mild compression spring, means onsaid outlet tube and on said sleeve for engaging said spring in mannersuch that said sleeve is normally extended by said spring partially offfrom said outlet tube, a discharge outlet tube extending from the lowerend of said sleeve and adapted to enter the filling opening of saidcontainer, :1 vented valve for sealing the outlet end of said dischargeoutlet tube and acting as a stop for said sleeve when the latter is inits normally extended position, a hood means mounted on the lower endportion of said sleeve, said hood means being adapted to engage the topof said container to be filled and when said container is raised, afterengagement with said hood means, the latter acts to compress said springand open said valve which allows fluid to flow through said outlet tube,sleeve, and discharge outlet tube into said container from said supplyreservoir, and a gasket within said hood and around said dischargeoutlet tube, said gasket sealing the filling opening in said containerwhen said hood means is in engagement with the top of said container,wherein such apparatus is adapted for filling substantially flat endedrectangular cross-section paper containers having a filling opening inthe upper end of same adjacent one corner, With a hingedly mounted capfor closing said opening, wherein means is provided for guiding saidhood in a non-rotary fixed endwise reciprocating movement path, andwherein said hood means is adapted to fit the upper end of saidcontainer at one corner thereof and be supported on the side edges ofthe container which terminate at said corner, said hood means having anelevated central portion open at its front to provide room for thehingedly mounted cap of said container when said cap is turned backduring the filling operation.

6. In a receptacle actuated mechanism for a receptacle filling machine,which comprises a fluid discharge tube, a hood member through which saiddischarge tube extends, means for fixedly connecting said hood memberand discharge tube for endwise movement in unison, means for guidingsaid hood for linear non-rotating endwise movement, valve means for saiddischarge tube, said valve means closing said discharge tube when thelatter is in its normal extended position and opening same when saiddischarge tube is retracted, said hood means having an elevated centralportion and side edges adapted to engage the end of a receptacle to befilled while said discharge tube extends into said receptacle through asuitable filler opening therein, and a gasket inside of said hood, saidgasket sealing said filler opening around said fluid discharge tube whenthe side edges of said hood are engaged by said receptacle and moved bythe latter so as to retract said discharge tube and open said valve.

7. In a receptacle actuated mechanism as set forth in claim 6, whereinsaid mechanism is adapted to fill rectangular cross-section papercontainers having substantially flat ends with the upper end having afiller opening at one corner and a hinged closure member for same, saidhood member having depending side members adapted to lie at the sides ofsaid container adjacent said filling opening corner of same in positionto stiffen said hood, with the side of said hood opposite to saiddepending side members being open to provide room for the hingedlymounted cap of said container when said cap is turned back during thefilling operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

